Burma’s wretched jails hold more than 1,100 political prisoners and, for six years, the International Committee of the Red Cross provided these opponents of the ruling junta with a measure of comfort – bringing doctors, soap, books and blankets and even repairing the water and sewerage systems. Confidential talks with inmates also helped the ICRC push authorities to improve conditions.

But this year the ICRC suspended its programme after the military rulers headed by General Than Shwe demanded that the foreign representatives should be accompanied on prison visits by members of government-affiliated groups – an unacceptable breach of confidentiality and Red Cross international practice.